World Journal of Surgical Oncology (Nov 2011)

A case of HER-2-positive recurrent breast cancer showing a clinically complete response to trastuzumab-containing chemotherapy after primary treatment of triple-negative breast cancer

  • Haruta Rumi,
  • Masumoto Norio,
  • Emi Akiko,
  • Sasada Tatsunari,
  • Kajitani Keiko,
  • Kobayashi Yoshie,
  • Kadoya Takayuki,
  • Shigematsu Hideo,
  • Kataoka Tsuyoshi,
  • Oda Miyo,
  • Arihiro Kouji,
  • Okada Morihito

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7819-9-146
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
p. 146

Abstract

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Abstract We report a case of HER-2-positive recurrent breast cancer showing a clinically complete response to trastuzumab-containing chemotherapy 6 years after primary treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. The primary tumor was negative for HER-2 as determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) (1+, and ratio, 1.1), but examination of the recurrent lymph node metastasis showed positivity for HER-2 by FISH (ratio, 5.2). No lesions were detected in either her left breast or in other organs, and the patient was diagnosed as having HER-2-positive recurrent disease. Combination chemotherapy using weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab was initiated, and a clinically complete response was achieved. This report suggests the benefit of routine evaluation of HER-2 status in recurrent breast cancer with the introduction of HER-2-targeting agents.

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